Escape the City Without Going Far
Calgary is blessed with some of the most spectacular scenery in North America right on its doorstep. Whether you are craving mountain views, turquoise lakes, charming small towns, or wide-open prairie landscapes, you can reach dozens of incredible destinations within a two-hour drive. Weekend road trips are the perfect way to recharge without the hassle of flights or extensive planning. Grab your keys, pack a cooler, and hit the road for one of these unforgettable adventures just outside the city.
Banff and the Bow Valley
No list of road trips from Calgary would be complete without mentioning Banff. Located roughly ninety minutes west on the Trans-Canada Highway, the town of Banff sits in the heart of Canada’s oldest national park and offers an almost endless array of activities year-round. In summer, hike Johnston Canyon, take the Banff Gondola to the summit of Sulphur Mountain, or paddle on the impossibly blue waters of Lake Minnewanka. In winter, hit the slopes at Sunshine Village or Lake Louise Ski Resort.
The town itself is worth exploring, with excellent restaurants, boutique shops, and the historic Banff Springs Hotel. If you enjoy outdoor activities across every season, Banff is the ultimate playground and the most popular road trip from Calgary for good reason.
Canmore: Mountain Town Charm
Just before you reach Banff, the town of Canmore offers a more relaxed mountain experience with equally stunning scenery. The iconic Three Sisters mountain peaks tower over the town, creating one of the most photographed vistas in Alberta. Canmore has a thriving arts scene, excellent coffee shops, and a network of trails that range from easy riverside walks to challenging alpine scrambles.
Grassi Lakes is a must-do hike, featuring two emerald-green alpine lakes and ancient rock paintings. The trail is relatively short and suitable for families, making it a great option if you are traveling with kids. Canmore also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, including folk music festivals, mountain film festivals, and holiday markets.
Drumheller: Dinosaur Capital of the World
Head northeast from Calgary for about ninety minutes and you will find yourself in a completely different landscape. The badlands surrounding Drumheller are a dramatic contrast to the Rockies, with eroded hoodoo formations, deep coulees, and layers of ancient rock that tell millions of years of geological history. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is the main attraction and one of the finest paleontology museums in the world, housing over 160,000 fossils including dozens of complete dinosaur skeletons.
Beyond the museum, drive the Dinosaur Trail loop for panoramic views of the Red Deer River valley, visit the iconic World’s Largest Dinosaur statue in town, and explore the hoodoo formations up close. Drumheller is an especially fantastic destination for families with children who are fascinated by dinosaurs and natural history.
Kananaskis Country
Often called the quieter alternative to Banff, Kananaskis Country is a vast network of provincial parks and recreation areas just an hour west of Calgary. K-Country, as locals call it, offers world-class hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, and cross-country skiing without the crowds you will encounter in the national parks. The scenery is equally breathtaking, with towering peaks, alpine meadows, and crystal-clear rivers around every bend.
Popular stops include the Kananaskis Nordic Spa for a relaxing soak with mountain views, Barrier Lake for a scenic picnic, and the many trailheads along Highway 40. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park at the southern end of Kananaskis is home to Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, which are stunning spots for canoeing and photography. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for vehicles, so be sure to purchase one in advance online.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Sitting right at the two-hour mark from Calgary, Waterton Lakes National Park is a hidden gem that deserves far more attention than it gets. This compact park packs an incredible amount of beauty into a small area where the prairies meet the mountains in dramatic fashion. The Prince of Wales Hotel perched on a bluff overlooking Upper Waterton Lake is one of the most iconic images in the Canadian Rockies.
Highlights include the Red Rock Canyon trail, Cameron Falls in the heart of the townsite, and the Crypt Lake hike, which is consistently ranked as one of the best hikes in Canada. The trail involves a boat ride, a tunnel through rock, a cable-assisted scramble, and ends at a stunning alpine lake tucked beneath towering cliffs. Waterton is also part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, shared with Montana’s Glacier National Park across the border.
Okotoks and the Foothills
For a shorter and more laid-back road trip, head thirty minutes south to the charming town of Okotoks. This growing community has a vibrant downtown with independent shops, galleries, and restaurants worth exploring. The town is named after the Okotoks Erratic, the largest glacial erratic in the world, a massive quartzite boulder deposited by glaciers thousands of years ago. It is a short walk from the parking area and a fascinating geological curiosity.
From Okotoks, continue into the rolling foothills along scenic back roads. The landscape is quintessential Alberta ranching country, with wide views, golden grasslands, and the Rocky Mountains rising in the west. Stop at one of the local farms or ranch-based businesses for fresh produce, artisan cheese, or a horseback riding experience.
Cochrane: Ice Cream and Cowboy Culture
Just thirty minutes northwest of Calgary, the town of Cochrane is a beloved quick escape for Calgarians. MacKay’s Ice Cream is a legendary stop that draws visitors from across the province, with dozens of flavors and a patio overlooking the Bow River valley. Beyond the ice cream, Cochrane has a proud ranching heritage showcased at the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site, where you can walk the trails and learn about the area’s cowboy history.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, a short drive north of Cochrane, features a pretty waterfall and forested trails that feel surprisingly secluded given their proximity to the city. Cochrane is also a gateway to Ghost Lake and the Ghost River Wilderness Area, which offer more remote and adventurous experiences for those willing to venture further along Highway 1A.
Tips for a Great Road Trip from Calgary
No matter which destination you choose, a few tips will make your trip smoother. Always check road conditions before heading into the mountains, especially between October and May when snow and ice can affect highway conditions. Pack layers of clothing even in summer, as mountain weather can change rapidly. Bring snacks and plenty of water, and always fill your gas tank before leaving the city since some rural areas have limited fuel options.
If you are planning an overnight trip, book accommodations well in advance during peak season, particularly for Banff, Canmore, and Waterton. Camping is a fantastic and affordable alternative, with numerous campgrounds available throughout the provincial and national parks. Many can be reserved online through Parks Canada or Alberta Parks websites.
Hit the Road This Weekend
Living in Calgary means having some of Canada’s most spectacular landscapes just a short drive away. Whether you prefer the rugged grandeur of the Rockies, the otherworldly badlands of Drumheller, or the peaceful charm of foothills ranch country, there is a weekend road trip waiting for every mood and interest. Pick a destination, rally your friends or family, and make the most of everything this incredible region has to offer.
